Staking apparatus



Aug. 4, 1959 Fild nec. 18'. 195e J. DARlGo STAKING APPARATUS 6Sheds-heet 1 www INVENTOR. JUL/ U3 Aff/GO' J. DARIGO STAKING APPARATUSAug. 4, 1959 'Filed Deo. 1a, 1956 M IHWI lll mm TW MM Q M \Mn+ n l 1ZV/4 V/ 9S Illl" 1| nv Q s Nuvi un w+ mm.-\\ m1 a e s n QQ L 45H1 @onmv\ A -w l n M m\ 7 f? l I l Il UIN limb l Il QQ mw wm QW Nav nov m\ QNE v ...ww m\\ L arm..

Egg-j Aus. 4, 1959 J. Amo 2,897,713

v STAKING APPARATUS Filed nec; is. 195ee sheets-sheet a INVENTOR. A JUL[U5 DA J. DARIGO STAKING APPARATUS Aug. 4, 1,959

6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 18, 1956 INVENTOR JU /L/` .OAR/GO Aug. 4,1959 J. DARIGO STAKING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 18, 1956INVENTOR. JUL/U5 AR/GO Aug-4,1959 J. DARlGo 2,897,713

STAKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 18, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. JUL/US.UAH/G0 STAKING APPARATUS Julius Darigo, Wilmington, Del., assignor toRemington Arms Company, Inc., Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation ofDelaware Application December 18, 1956, Serial No. 629,090 7 Claims.(Cl. 86--10) matic weapons comprises a metallic cartridge case to whichis fixed an explosive projectile or shell. The explosive shell comprisesa main body containing an ex- Pillars 12 support a work table 13 abovethe base plate and provide clearance for the machine elements drivewhich will later be described. IOn the work table 13, front guide bar 14and rear guide bar 15 define a trackway for a linked belt of cartridgesC. Above the trackway, top guide bars 16 define a passage through whichthe linked cartridges are intermittently fed into alignment with aplosive and a nose fuse threadably attached thereto. In-

dividual rounds of ammunition are mounted in linked clips to form a beltof cartridges which are fed to the automatic weapon in firing.

Cartridges in linked belts are exposed to severe vibration and shocksduring feeding and firing cycles of an automatic weapon, and it is awell-known practice to stake the Y nose fuse of the explosive shell tothe body of the shell after the fuse and shell body have been threadedlyassembled, to preventseparation. This staking operation is performedprior to assembly of the explosive shell and the cartridge. It has now`been found advantageous to reinforce this staking operation with afurther restaking operation after the individual assembled rounds havebeen mountcdin linked belts.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide mechanism for stakingcomponent parts of an assembled cartridge together after a plurality ofcartridges are assembled in linked belts.

With the foregoing and still `other objects in view, the inventionconsists in certain novel details of construction and combination andarrangement `of parts, all of which will4 hereinafter be described, andthe novel features pointed out in what is claimed.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the present invention:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the Work table.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a` longitudinal sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, withthe machine elements disposed in cartridge transfer position.

Fig.f4 is a transverse sectional View on the line 4.-4 of Fig. 1sl1owingthe cartridge transfer mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the disposition of theelements of the mechanism at the beginning of a cartridge transferoperation.

AFig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the position of themechanism at the end of a transfer operation.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional View on line 7-.7 of Fig. 2, showing thestaking mechanism.

Pig. 8 is a schematic view showing the path of motion of a tooth of thetransfer mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing details of the die block drivemeans.

General arrangement Referring to the drawings, the machine comprises asupport frame 10 on which is mounted a base plate 11.

reciprocating die block 17 by transfer means to be described. At theopposite side of the trackway from the die block, a cushion block 18 isprovided. Spring loaded plungers 19 in the cushion block engage the baseof cartridges aligned with the die block and permit a slight transverselocation movement of lthe cartridges when the die block is moved forwardto engage the explosive shell body 20 with walls of the die blockrecesses 21 (Fig. 2). Within each of the recesses of the die block, astaking punch 23 is vertically disposed for reciprocation into the bodyof the explosive shell at the area of threaded interengagement of thenose fuse 22.- yIn operation, cartridges in linked belts are fedintermittently through the trackway into longitudinal alignment with thedie block, the die block is moved forward to engage the explosive shell,and the staking punch is forced into Vthe body of the shell at the areaof threaded juncture with the nose fuse, thereby staking the partstogether. The linked belt of cartridges is then advanced by the transfermechanism to dispose two unstaked cartridges in alignment with the dieblock and the staking operation is repeated. The various elements of thetransfer mechanism and staking mechanism In the embodiment shown, thebelt of linked cartridges is moved once in each machine cycle to aligntwo unstaked projectiles with the work holders. As best shown in Figs. 2and 4, the means for imparting the required intermittent movement to thelinked cartridges comprises two transfer bars and 101 which are mountedparallel to each other in the spaced slots 102 and 103. Each transferbar has a plurality of spaced Vertical lingers 104 formed thereon anddisposed to enter the spaces between the cartridge carrying links. Thespacing between the transfer bars is such that the fingers of bar 100engage cartridge links near the base of the cartridge, while the fingersof bar 101 engage the 'cartridge links near the cartridge mouth, as thelinks are moved, thus insuring proper cartridge alignment. The vtransferbars are linked together and have a common quadrangular motion, movingfrom an initial position in which they are retracted below the Worktable as in Fig. 4, to a raised cartridge link engaging position of Fig,5, then moving to the right and feeding linked cartridges two intervals,to the Vposition shown in Fig 6, then retracting outer engagement withthe links, and finally returning to initial position. The arrowed linesin Fig. 8 denote the quadrangular path of movement of a finger 104 ofthe transfer bar.

. As best shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the mechanism for two transfer barsare mounted onopposite sidesv of an' apex of lever block 109 by thepivot pin 116. Like legs 115 are similarly mounted on opposite sides oflever block by the pivot pin 117.

Motion is imparted to the described linkage by means n kof a crank 118cmthe machine mainshaft 120 which is Each of the transfer connected to alever arm 119 formed on lever block 109. As the crank 118 is rotated bythe mainshaft, the lever arm 119 is raised and lowered by the verticalcomponent of crank travel, oscillating the lever blocks about theirfulcrum pins; and at the same time the entire linkage is shifted backand forward in a substantially horiL zontalplane by the horizontalcomponent of crank travel. The combined oscillatory and shifting lateralmovements impressed on the lever blocks causes the pivot pins 116 and117 to describe a quadrangular pathof motion which is imparted to thetransfer bars. The fingers 104 of the transfer bars engaged between thelinks of the cartridge belt as the transfer bars rise, and as thetransfer bar moves transversely to the right, the fingers 104 shift thelinked cartridges, thereby aligning two unstaked cartridges with the dieblock in each cycle of operation.

Staking mechanism When the above described mechanism has transferred twocartridges into alignment with the die block, a staking operation isinitiated.

Die block 17 is supported for reciprocation transverse to the trackwayin an opening in work table 13 by means of ways 24 shown in Fig. l.Paired rods 25 fastened to the rear of the die block extend through thetrunnion block 26. Compression springs 27 are mounted on each rod andbear between the trunnion block 26 and stop nuts 28 fixed on the end ofthe rods, biasing the die block to the rear, away from the trackway. Astop pin 29 adjustably mounted in the trunnion block engages the dieblock and limits rearward travel of the die block. As

shown in Figs. 2 and 9, on the underside of the die block.

a cam roller 30 is mounted by means of the axle pin 31, in the path of acam 32 mounted on a portion of the periphery of wheel 33, fixed to themainshaft. The cam 32, as shown in Fig. 9, extends above the peripheryof wheel 33 and has a curvedactuating surface. It will be noted that thelimitation on rearward movement of the die block imposed by stop pin 29disposes the cam roller in position for engagement by the surface ofcarn 32. The cam 32 engages the roller during a portion of eachrevolution, forcing the die block forward towards the trackway, and intoengagement with the cartridges to be staked.

As best seen in Figs. 2, 4 and 7, the front face of the die block 17 hasformedtherein two conical recesses 21 which are adapted to engage thenose sections of adjacent shells in the linked belt when the die blockis in forward position. These conical recesses provide peripheralsupport for the nose fuse and tapered forward section of the shell bodyduring the staking operation.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 7, s-taking punches 23 are mounted in bores inthe die block for reciprocation into each conical recess. Compressionsprings 34 are provided to normally retain the punches in a retractedposi tion wherein a headed portion of the punch is exposed below thebase of the die block. A screw 35 mounted in the front face of `the dieblock extends into each punch bore and cooperates with a notched section36 of the punch to reciprocably retain the punch in the bore.

Actuation of the punches in the staking operation is accomplished by areciprocating hammer unit mounted below the punches and driven by acrank on the mainshaft. As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, a crank 37 formed onthe mainshaft 120 rotatably carries a rectangular hammer block 38 havingtWo punch striking faces 39. The hammer block is disposed in the axialplane of the punches when the die block is in its forward,shell-engaging position. Anangularly disposed extension 40 mountedon-the hammer block carries a rotatable bearing 41 which rides in abifurcated bearing slide 42 formed on the intermediate mainshaft support43. It will be seen that the hammer block is thus positioned and guidedby the bearing 41 which reciprocates vertically in the bearing slide 42as the mainshaft rotates. The crank 37 extends in the same radial planeof the mainshaft as is the cam 32 on drive wheel 33, and therefore, thecrank 37 reaches its uppermost point in revolution at the same time thatdie block 17 is moved to its forward shell engaging position. Thepunches of the die block are thus struck by the striking faces 39 of thehammer block only when the nose fuse and forward portion of the shellbody are adequately supported by the conical recesses 21.

It will be noted that the shell transfer mechanism, the shell holdingdie block and the staking punches are all synchronized in operation bythe common driving means, the mainshaft 120, which maybe driven inrotation by an electric motor 44 through drive chain 45, and sprocket 46fixed to the mainshaft.

A single cycle of the machine will be described. In Fig. 2 a stakingoperation has just been completed. Continued rotation of the mainshaftwill cause the camming surface 32 of wheel 33 to move out of contactwith the cam roller 30 and die block 17 will be retracted by the springs27. At the same time, hammer block 38 is retracted from its raisedimpact position by crank 37, and the transfer drive crank 118 will causethe quadrangular linkage to oscillate and raise the transfer bars intoengagement between the linked cartridges C. This disposition of themachine elements is shown in Fig. 5, at of counterclockwise revolutionof the mainshaft. Continued revolution of the mainshaft will cause thetransfer bars to shift the cartridges on the trackway to the positionshown in Fig. 6 wherein two unstaked cartridges are aligned with the dieblock recesses. Late in the cycle of revolution, camming surface 32 onwheel 33 engagesthe cam roller 30 on the die block, forcing the dieblock forward so that the explosive shells are nested in the conicalrecesses 21. When the shells are located in the conical recesses 21 andnear the end of Yone cycle of revolution, the striking faces 39 of thehammer block 38 engage the punches and force, them upward, therebystaking the shells in the area of the threaded juncture of the nose fuseand the shell body. The machine elements are again in the position shownin Fig. 2, and continued revolutions of the mainshaft will cause arepetition of the cycle.

It will readily seem, from the foregoing description of construction,that an extremely rugged and effective production staking machine isprovided.

Although one preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is obvious that many variations and modifications arepossible in light of the above teaching. Therefore, it is intended thatno limitation be placed on the invention except as defined by the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for staking assembled ammunition mounted in beltscomprising in combination a belted ammunition trackway having a workstation; a die block at saidv work station reciprocable transversely tosaid trackway and having therein recesses disposed to axially engage andperipherally support individual rounds lof ammunition at one extent ofdie block reciproeation, staking punches in said die block mountedforreciprocation ina common plane transverse to said recesses, each of saidpunches being disposed to enter one of said recesses for stakingengagement with a round of' ammunition supported therein, means forintermittently transferring rounds of ammunition to said work stationincluding a toothed transfer bar disposed longitudinally of saidtrackway and qu-adralateral linkage supporting said transfer bar forintermittent translation along said trackway in engagement with saidammunition; and a common drive shaft actuating saidtransfer means, saiddie block, and said staking punches in synchronism.

2. Apparatus according to claim l, in which said quadnalateral linkagecomprises two support arms pivotally mounted on said trackway, a leverblock mounted r at the end of each support arm, a link pivotallyconnecting said lever blocks, and a drive arm on one of said leverblocks, .said transfer bar being mounted adjacent its ends on likeapexes of said lever blocks, said drive arm engaging a crank on saidcommon drive shaft.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising said die block mounted forreciprocation transverse of said trackway from a retracted position inwhich said trackway is unobstructed, to an advanced position in which aportion of each of said rounds of ammunition at said Work station isnested in one of said recesses, and cam means operatively connected tosaid drive shaft for moving said die block.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising cam means operativelyconnected to said drive shaft for advancing said die block, andresilient means urging said die block to retracted position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising staking punches disposedin said die block and having a striking surface exposed exteriorly ofsaid die block, and a. crank hammer operatively connected to said driveshaft and disposed to strike said exposed surface when said die block isin advanced position.

6. Apparatus for staking assembled ammunition mounted in beltscomprising a longitudinal trackway for belted ammunition; means fortransferring ammunition along said trackway including a transfer barlongitudinally aligned with said trackway and mounted for movement intoengagement with ammunition on said track- Way, drive teeth on saidtransfer bar disposed for entry between rounds of said ammunition;quadralateral linkage supporting said transfer bar and imparting asubstantially quadrangular path of motion to said transfer bar; stakingsupport means comprising a die block reciprocable transversely to saidtrackway and having therein recesses disposed to axially engage andsupport individual rounds of ammunition at one extent of die blockreciprocation; staking punches reciprocably mounted in said die block,each disposed for entry transversely into a diierent one of saidrecesses; a common drive shaft, and means on said drive shaft actuatingsaid linkage, said die block, and said staking punches in synchronism.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said actuating meanscomprises a crank engaged with said linkage, a cam wheel for drivingsaid die block to said one extent of reciprocation, and a crank having ahammer thereon disposed to engage said staking punches in said oneextent of die block reciprocation.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,965,868 Vickers July 10, 1934 2,485,954 Burrell Oct. 25, 19492,542,988 Bureau Feb. 27, 1951 2,643,403 MacBlane et al. June 30, 1953

